Iceclad

Kuron hadn’t seen much of the lands of Discord – it scared him. Honestly, it scared everyone. But Kuron’s bravery and confidence were far less developed than most. He was no hero here. Every time he’d attempt a journey to these seething lands of anger and unkemptness, he’d end up running away in fear. It got to the point where he’d just decided not to travel there any more. Each failed attempt to explore made him miss the old lands, the place of his birth, and the beloved peace of Thurgadin all the more.

But where Kuron lacked in mettle he made up for by being very resourceful. He had so many magical trinkets at his disposal, it was virtually all he had going for him. With his many toys he was able to sustain himself underwater without breathing, summon fireworks and ale at will, as well as run faster than most average beings via special boots. Even the ring of the Dain he wore offered him accelerated healing and protection from harm.

Only recently he received a very important item, a breastplate which could hide him in a veil of shadows. While venturing into the ancient city of Chardok to recover part of his Epic weapon it was discovered on the corpse of Overking Bathezid and entrusted to him, grudgingly, by Brita – the cleric that did pretty much all the work for him – most likely out of pity.

Sealed within the breastplate was a swirling vortex of shadow and mist. It was able to project this sight-canceling mass, on command, to surround and blot out the visage of the one wearing it. You’re probably wondering why such an amazing item was so willingly given away to Kuron by this obviously god-like cleric, and you are right to do so. It wasn’t exactly given to him at all. On seeing it, Kuron thought it would be a funny prank to put it right on and mock the now-dead King through mimicry in his own attire.

Tossing off his current armor he shimmied into it, which was easy considering he was quite moist with sweat and food spillings. Brita watched as the now-very-nude Dwarf slid into the armor, and noted with revulsion that he wore nothing underneath his armor save for a few inches of reddish hair. In Brita’s eyes the value was now completely nullified, she was utterly disgusted beyond the nature of wanting material possessions by this filthy spectacle. She grouchily awarded the breastplate-turned-bedpan to our jovial little dirtbag, gagging only a few times as she spoke.

Brita: “You…*glurp*….go ahead and keep that now…”

Kuron: *hunching over the corpse of the King* “O! Thank ya deary! That’s awful nice! Yer helpin’ me so much an’ then givin’ on top of it all! C’mere an’ gimme a hug!”

Brita: “NO! STAY OVER THERE!”

Kuron: “…but I have t’ thank ye somehow!”

Brita: “If you want to thank me, you will never remove any article of clothing where anyone can see you ever again!”

Kuron: *smiles* “Ohhh, I see, a wee embarrassed eh? I don’t mind ye lookin’ at me rump lassie, but I would ask that maybe someday ye return th’ favor! HAW HAW HAW!”

Brita: “…I wonder if I can resurrect the King.”

Kuron decided that maybe this was his chance to explore Discord and understand it better. Donning his newest treasure, he sauntered up to the sole individual who could transport him there. The Priest of Discord chortled to himself as Kuron approached. He had seen the cowardly Dwarf many times a week, and found his attempts to face his fears quite amusing at this point.

Priest of Discord: “Back again, huh big guy?”

Kuron: “Dinna ya even start, I’ve had enough o’ yer mouth fer a God’s age!”

Priest of Discord: “And yet you keep coming back to me to plan short-lived vacations to Discord! Astounding!”

Kuron: “…I don’t even care t’ waste my explanations on ya, and I’ve got a good plan this time! I’ll show ya! Now shut yer ugly face an’ take me t’ Discord, I wish t’ go!”

Priest of Discord: *sighs and rolls up the sleeves of his robe* “Very well…prepare to enter the lands of Discord!”

The incantation began with a swirling ring of yellow glyphs tracing out a Portal in the air before them. It began to spin more and more rapidly as the view through the ring rippled. The scenery through the transparent ring contorted and sucked inward revealing a void of nothingness, which then faded into a view of landscape in the twisted realm of Discord. The Priest of Discord smiled wickedly at Kuron, and nodded toward the portal invitingly. Kuron scowled at him, and started walking through the rift. The Priest watched as he carefully walked through and touched down on Discord’s soil, then turned back to give him the o-k.

Priest of Discord: *smiles incredulously from the other end of the void* “See you in a few seconds…”

Kuron: “WHY YOU…”

But his anger was to be bottled, for just as he spoke the Priest closed the portal on him.

Kuron composed himself quickly, there was no time to deal with hecklers. He fancied the idea of returning from Discord calmly, confidently, and preferably with the festering corpse of something quite slimy he could smother the smart-mouthed Priest with. The wild hills of Discord sprawled all around him, and untold horrors stalked in the perverse forests nearby. Kuron looked around carefully and, sensing no danger, decided it was time to invoke his breastplate.

Having had experience with so many trinkets before, it was not very difficult to figure out the way to activate it. A few seconds of deep concentration was all it took, which was good for Kuron because he probably could not offer much more. The breastplate pulsed and a thick shadowy aura creeped out, engulfing him in a shroud of partially-light-refracting blackness. To an unsuspecting being, he would be a slight cloud of wispy dust, and barely perceptible.

Carefully, and while still in relative proximity to the beacon that could bring him back to safety (albeit not from heckling), he crept out into the forests of Discord in search of a creature to test his invisibility. He heard a rustling of brush and soon found a frail but vicious being called a Noc. He walked right up to it, and waved a hand in front of it’s face. It behaved as if nothing at all was happening, completely oblivious to Kuron’s presence.

Another creature approached, also unaware of Kuron, and beneath the shroud of nothingness an impish grin came to his face. As the creatures passed each other, Kuron threw a rock at one of them. A brawl broke out, the victim blaming the only other creature present. Kuron held back hooting laughter, this was all the confidence he needed.

He ventured deeper into the forests now assured that his visit would be much, much longer…

To be continued…